ch4: I'm Leaving
602 Words
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Packing,” she said simply. She zipped the suitcase halfway before finally lifting her gaze to him. “I’m leaving.”
That made him step further into the room. Ethan frowned slightly, “Leaving to where?” he asked, confusing creeping into his voice.
Amara tilted her head just a little. “It doesn’t matter.”
His jaw tightened, frustrating bubbling beneath the surface. “Amara, stop this.”
She stood up straight now, facing him fully. "You don't have the right to stop me."
Ethan took a step closer, trying to bridge the gap. “Is this about today?” he asked. “We can talk about it.. ”
“It’s not about today,” she cut in calmly. “It’s about everything.” He went quiet, caught off guard. Amara held his gaze.“You didn’t even try to pretend anymore,” she continued. “Not this time.”
Ethan’s expression hardened slightly. “You’re overreacting.”
A small pause, then Amara smiled knowingly. “Am I?”
She walked past him toward the dresser, pulling out a few more things. Ethan turned slightly, watching her every move. “What exactly do you think is happening?” he asked, choosing his words carefully.
Amara didn’t answer right away. She picked up her bag, zipped it closed, and then finally looked at him. Straight in the eyes. “You tell me,” she said.
Silence filled the room again. Amara eyes lingered on the phone, then to him. Ethan noticed she had picked it up.
Ethan’s voice lowered. “You went through my phone.”
Amara didn’t deny it. “Yes.” unapologetic.
His jaw tightened even more. “You had no right.”
That made her laugh softly, a sound filled with belief. “No right?” she repeated, stepping closer now. “You slept with my best friend,” she said, her voice still. “But I'm the one who crossed a line?”
Ethan stayed silent. There was nothing left to say. They stood there, facing each other. No more pretending, no more guessing; Just raw truth.
“How long have you two been together?” Amara inquired.
He hesitated.
“Long enough,” she answered for him.
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, letting out a sharp breath. “It didn’t mean anything,” he said, delivering the worst possible answer.
Amara nodded slowly. “And the baby?” she asked.
That hit differently. Ethan stilled. Amara watched him.
“She’s pregnant,” she stated. He didn’t deny it. “And you still came home,” Amara continued. “You still stood in front of me like nothing changed.”
Ethan looked at her, defensive rising in his face. “What do you want me to say?” he asked. “That I’m sorry?”
Amara shook her head slightly. “No, I don’t want anything from you.”
She picked up her suitcase and walked past him.
Ethan turned quickly. “Amara.”
She stopped at the doorway but she didn’t look back.
“That’s it?” he pressed. “You’re just going to walk away?”
She turned to face him. “You gave up on us before I did,” she said, then walked out.
The front door opened and closed, and just like that Amara was gone. Ethan stood alone in the room, the silence finally settling in. Yet even then, he didn’t move a single muscle.
Outside, the first light of dawn began to break. Amara didn’t look back not even once.
- Writer
